So long, Freedom of Speech

I am 'offended' by the proposal to permit gay marriage.  I am offended by the inference that my saying this may be illegal – and if so, a denial of freedom of speech.  My view of marriage is the traditional one recognised by our culture, that is, a union between a man and a woman.  I am totally offended to see an attack on freedom of speech on Long Tan Day, in the refusal to remove legislation suppressing freedom of speech. 

An article in The Mercury of 18^th August, 2016, states: “Tasmanian gay rights activist Rodney Croome slammed the move, calling it a “green light” for hate speech.”  Sounds like hate speech decrying hate speech to me. 

He further states:  “Society has moved on ... and our law must reflect this,”  Sounds like an imperious edict imposed on the populace by an individual, or small group to me - in a democracy the majority of people decide so, ys IS too important to be left to a plebiscite. There must be a referendum along accepted principles, which will provide a definitive result; The Irish Referendum was approved with less than forty(40) percent approval. Hardly the overwhelming result that continues to be cited..”  et he objects to a referendum – what does he know that he isn’t telling us?  As pointed out by ‘Richard’, in his Comment, “This is too important to be left to a plebiscite.  There must be a referendum along accepted principles which will provide a definitive result.” 

Rodney Croome does not speak for me nor, I suspect, for a lot of other people.  I am offended by the ‘social engineering’ undertaken by vocal minorities, while agreeing that in a democracy they have a right to their opinions:  What I strongly object to is the focus on such issues by our politicians and media to the exclusion of more important social matters. 

Pocket knives banned in Tasmania!

OK, I’ve been very slack on this blog after searching the web on issues and finding others put a far more effective case than I can.  But this one really upset me.

In Tasmania, it is now illegal to carry a knife in a public place unless there is a ‘lawful purpose’ and ‘being handy’ and ‘self protection’ are not ‘lawful purposes’.  That includes a knife in your vehicle if your vehicle is in a public place, though there are provisions to have it secured in your vehicle, but they are vague, so I’m not sure how this affects campervans etc.  Check out the website below for details, or rather, lack of them as it is pretty general.  So, to avoid becoming a criminal in Tasmania, check out the site below before entering the State.

http://www.police.tas.gov.au/services-online/knife-laws-education/

IMHO, this is bloody ridiculous!  I have carried a pocket knife since I was a kid, I was taught to respect it and use it safely and never abused that advice.  I have also found it to be an invaluable tool for a number of life’s challenges, from opening letters & parcels, cutting hay bales loose, to on one occasion quickly whittling a wooden plug to fix a punctured petrol tank so I could get back to civilisation for a proper repair before all the petrol leaked out:  The thought of using it to hold up a convenience store never entered my head, but if a knife is no longer available, I’m sure a cluey (or even not so cluey) villain would figure out anything from a tyre iron to a sharp stick would probably work just as effectively provided he backed it up with sufficient intent.  You know, after all those years as a ‘potential criminal’ (lacking only a political genius to pass a law), does that put me on a secret ‘watch list’?   The laws certainly weren’t implemented in a ‘transparent’ manner, lacked public debate and I would be surprised if it had major public support.  I am really at a loss to know how I am going to be able to open those securely plastic wrapped goods that are everywhere these days; perhaps carrying an axe isn’t illegal.

I am not criticising the Police or other Services, they undertake a difficult job and deserve more respect than they are given.  I do, however, question when the lawmakers can see only so far as depriving everyone for the actions of a few.  I also think there are far more important issues in health and education that the efforts would have been better spent on.  Plus, why so  many of these villains who appear before the court are dealt with so leniently?  

Another freedom gone.